PUBLIX EMPLOYEE RUN DOWN IN PARKING LOT

A PUBLIX EMPLOYEE WAS RUN OVER BY A CAR IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE STORE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.  THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS 83 YEAR OLD JOHN ELLIOTT OF PLACIDA WAS BACKING OUT OF A SPACE IN THE LOT OF THE STORE IN MERCHANTS CROSSING JUST AFTER 3:30PM WHEN HE CLIPPED A PARKED SUV DRIVEN BY 72 YEAR OLD CHARLES MOORE OF VALRICO.  ELLIOTT DID NOT APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT INSTEAD ACCELERATED AND BACKED INTO A SHOPPING CART BIN BEFORE HITTING 76 YEAR OLD BETTY HENLEY OF ENLGEWOOD WHO WAS PUSHING THE CART BIN.  ELLIOTT THEN HIT ANOTHER PARKED CAR BEFORE GOING OVER A CURB, HITTING SOME SHRUBS AND A PALM TREE BEFORE STOPPING.  HENLEY WAS THE ONLY ONE INJURED, AND SHE WAS FLOWN TO LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN FORT MYERS IN CRITICAL CONDITION.  TROOPERS SAY ALCOHOL WAS NOT A FACTOR AND CHARGES ARE PENDING THE COMPLETION OF THEIR INVESTIGATION.